Nathan De Asha seems set to finally compete at Arnold Classic in 2025
Nathan De Asha seems set to make his long-awaited return to a major bodybuilding competition, as he has been granted a 20-day visa to compete in the 2025 Arnold Classic. The news, confirmed on October 22, 2024, by bodybuilding expert Ron Harris, ends years of uncertainty and visa issues that have kept De Asha from competing in the United States since 2018.
Nathan De Asha has long been a hyped athlete by fans of the sport – but mired with hurdles created by various issues that has prevented him from competing. This includes issues obtaining a visa to compete in the United States.
The 2025 Arnold Classic will mark the first time in De Asha’s storied career that he will step on stage in Columbus, Ohio, for one of the sport’s most prestigious events. As a Men’s Open competitor in the IFBB Pro League, De Asha has built a remarkable career despite these obstacles, proving his dominance on the European and international circuits.
Fans and experts alike are eager to see how he fares against top-tier competition – especially agianst the likes of Mr. Olympia champion Samson Dauda, who has confirmed he will compete at the 2025 Arnold Classic.
Nathan De Asha’s Return to North America
Nathan De Asha’s last appearance in the US came at the 2018 Mr. Olympia, where he placed eighth. The competition was ultimately won by the late Shawn Rhoden, and it marked De Asha’s final showing in the US before his visa complications arose. Over the past several years, these challenges have kept him from competing in major U.S. events, including the likes of the Olympia and Arnold Classic.
However, Nathan De Asha has continued to excel internationally. In 2024, he took first place at the Mr. Big Evolution Pro, overcoming two-time Arnold Classic champion William Bonac to secure victory. This achievement cemented his status as one of the top contenders in the Men’s Open division. And further built hype for fans who eagerly awaited him to face off against the top competitors.
This year, Nathan De Asha had already qualified for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. But to the disappointment of his fans, he and his coach decided to skip the Olympia, citing bigger plans for the future. This wasn’t the first time visa issues had thwarted De Asha’s Olympia ambitions; in 2023, he was turned away by US Customs and Immigration upon arrival in Orlando, preventing him from competing at the event despite his qualification.
The Visa Breakthrough
In a YouTube video released on October 22, 2024, Ron Harris of Ron Harris Muscle revealed that Nathan De Asha had finally secured a 20-day visa, allowing him to compete in the Arnold Classic US in March 2025. Harris confirmed that efforts from Brian Powers, co-promoter of the Arnold Classic alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, were instrumental in securing the visa. Powers, according to Harris, wrote directly to government officials to advocate on De Asha’s behalf.
“Brian Powers, who promotes the Arnold Classic together with Arnold Schwarzenegger, wrote a letter, I assume to the embassy or whatnot, whatever government officials needed to be implored, and a 20-day visa was granted to the United States for Nathan to compete this coming March in the Arnold Classic 2025,” Harris explained in the video.
This development marks a turning point for Nathan De Asha, who has been sidelined from U.S. competitions for over five years. Harris emphasized the significance of this moment, calling De Asha “one of the greatest athletes of our generation.”
The Stakes at the 2025 Arnold Classic
Nathan De Asha’s debut at the Arnold Classic is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated moments of the 2025 bodybuilding season. The event, scheduled for March, will offer historic prize money for the Men’s Open division. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently announced that the winner of the Open category would take home $500,000—a record for the Arnold Classic.
For a brief period, this was the largest cash prize in bodybuilding until the 2024 Mr. Olympia raised its winner’s payout to $600,000, which was won by reigning Olympia champion Samson Dauda. With such high stakes, the 2025 Arnold Classic is expected to attract the sport’s top athletes, including Dauda, Andrew Jacked, and now Nathan De Asha.
Fans are excited to see Nathan De Asha square off against these competitors on U.S. soil. His combination of muscle density, symmetry, and stage presence makes him a serious contender for the Arnold Classic title. After years of battling visa issues and watching from the sidelines, De Asha finally has the chance to prove himself at one of the biggest shows in the world.
You can watch the full video explaining Nathan De Asha’s visa update below:
